USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > Biographical review : v. 24, containing life sketches of leading citizens of Pittsburgh and the vicinity, Pennsylvania > Part 25
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Dr. Stephen L. Blachly, of this family so remarkable for its medical proclivities, was born December 11, 1815, in Sparta, Washing- ton County, Pa., and spent the entire years of his active professional life in that locality, where his father won and wore the wreath of medical honor. In early manhood, having completed his general education in his native county at Washington and Jefferson College, he read medicine with his father, after which he entered Jefferson Medical College, Phila- delphia, where he received his degree. From that time until the death of his father, in 1849, he was associated with him in profes- sional labors; and afterward he continued practice alone until 1877. In that year his
son, Dr. Oliver L. Blachly, of whom a brief sketch appears on another page of this work, was in partnership with him. While a gen- eral practitioner, the Doctor paid special at- tention to surgery, in which he was very skilful, performing amputations and other operations. He sometimes used a case of surgical instruments, now in his possession, which were once owned by his great-grand- father, Dr. Ebenezer Blachly, third, and were used by him when a surgeon in the Revolu- tionary Army. At the time of his retirement from the duties of his profession Dr. Stephen L. Blachly was among the oldest practitioners of Washington County, and one of the old- est members of the medical society of that county, of which he has been president at various times. He is a member of the State Medical Society of Pennsylvania, of which he was first vice-president in 1873, and by which he was appointed censor for the Eighth Dis- trict in 1874, a position which he held by annual appointment for a number of years. He is also a member of the American Medical Society and of the Alumni Association of jefferson College.
During the late war the Doctor served as a volunteer surgeon after the second battle of Bull Run and after the battle of the Wilder- ness. He has been a diligent student of med- ical journals and an occasional contributor to the same. He is highly esteemed as a man and a citizen, and his intelligent discharge of his professional duties and his careful observ- ance of the rules of medical ethics have se- cured for him the confidence of the public and the good will of his medical brethren.
On January 9, 1840, Dr. Stephen L. Blachly married Sarah, daughter of Benjamin Lindley. Her father was a descendant of Francis Lind- ley, who is reputed to have come to this coun- try from Holland in the "Mayflower," but
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whose name is not, so far as we are aware, in any published list of "Mayflower" passengers. Of the union of Dr. and Mrs. Blachly five children were born, two of whom died in in- fancy. The record of those living is as fol- lows: Mary Minerva married Stephen J. Day, a merchant of Sparta, Pa., and after his death became the wife of Sample F. McVey, of Wilkinsburg; Henry Spencer is a druggist at Waynesburg; and Oliver L., M.D. is a phy- · sician of Wilkinsburg. The mother of these children died November 25, 1857; and on July 28, 1859, the Doctor married Miss Maria, daughter of James and Margaret Wade, of Fayette County, Pennsylvania. On his re- moval to Wilkinsburg, Dr. Blachly built for himself a fine brick residence, with all modern improvements and equipments, on the corner of Wallace and Centre Streets, and on the ad- joining lot erected one of a similar architect- ure for his daughter, Mrs. McVey. For more than fifty years Dr. Blachly has been a consist- ent member of the Upper Ten-mile Presby- terian Church, in which for a quarter of a century he served as an Elder.
HARLES BLAIR, formerly a prosper- ous merchant of Pittsburg, was born in County Mayo, Ireland, May 15, 1844, son of Charles and Kate Blair. He was a descendant of an old Scotch family whose home was in Dumfries, and whose mem- bers fought in the cause of William Wallace. The father belonged to the Irish constabulary, or police force; and so did the grandfather, Charles Blair.
Young Charles had received a good educa- tion in his native county, when at the age of eighteen he emigrated to America. He was first employed in a grocery store in Flushing, N. Y. One year later he came to Pittsburg,
engaged as book-keeper, and some years after became manager of the large estate, valued at five hundred thousand dollars, owned by Daniel Wallace. For many years he handled this estate with the greatest prudence and frugality, and during Mr. Wallace's long ill- ness he faithfully cared for him. Upon the death of the latter, Mr. Blair was left the sum of eleven thousand dollars, in recogni- tion of his devotion. He then bought the business of which he had been in charge, at the price set by the appraisers of the property, and continued to deal in flour and grain throughout the rest of his life. Besides rent- ing large warehouses in the city, he had other large interests in real estate.
On October 29, 1875, Mr. Blair married Miss Lide Packer, of Lock Haven, daughter of Job and Charity (Way) Packer, both of Quaker families. Through the Mendenhalls Mrs. Blair is descended from Joseph Menden- hall, who came from Ramsbury, County of Wilts, England, and from Thomas Pierson, who was a surveyor to William Penn, and whose figure occupies a prominent position by the side of William Penn in the picture of the Elm-tree Treaty, so familiar to all students of Colonial history. The first American Mendenhall took up land to the amount of five hundred acres under William Penn in East Clair, Chester County, in 1685. Mrs. Blair is also a niece of Governor William F. Packer, of Pennsylvania. She had three chil- dren - John Thomas, Charity Alsa, and Charles Packer. The Blairs were all Scotch Presbyterians, and Mrs. Blair is also a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church. On the after- noon of April 30, 1884, Mr. Blair came to a shocking and untimely death, being accident- ally shot while at his place of business. His death was widely mourned. At a meeting of the Grain and Flour Exchange, of which he
FRANCIS J. TORRANCE.
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was an esteemed member, specially called by the president in relation to the sad event, pre- ceding the adoption of suitable resolutions of respect, this paper was read: "A great be- reavement has fallen on our Exchange by the premature and appalling death of one of our most worthy and highly esteemed fellow-mem- bers, Mr. CHARLES BLAIR, whose life so sud- denly, and without premonition, was taken on the afternoon of April 30, 1884. The words of affection are few, and only those shall be uttered on this occasion. He was a system- atic and thorough business man, scrupulously honest, honorable, and just. In the relations of husband and father, friend and neighbor, citizen and Christian gentleman, he was a model of human excellence. Moral, discreet, and pious, his life and his example are left to us for our instruction and our profit. His brief career admonishes us of the uncertainty of life. As a merchant and a citizen, we honor him; as a man of exemplary habits and noble character, we cherish his memory; as a true and faithful brother, we love him."
RANCIS J. TORRANCE, the treas- urer and general manager of the Stand- ard Manufacturing Company of Pitts- burg, was born in Allegheny, June 27, 1859, son of Francis Torrance. His grandfather, also named Francis Torrance, was a well-to-do farmer, who reared a large family in the north of Ireland, where he spent his entire life of eighty-six years. The father emigrated to this country many years ago, locating in Alle- gheny. Before many years had elapsed he became the president of the Standard Manu- facturing Company and the manager of the Schenley estate. In Allegheny he served in the Select Council, was a member of the School Board for eighteen years, and was a
trustee of the Baptist church, to which both he and his wife belonged. He was twice mar- ried. His first wife, whose maiden name was Miss Clure, bore him three daughters. These were: Lizzie, who lives in Ireland; Martha, now the wife of C. A. Smiley; and Katie, who died a number of years ago. He subse- quently married Miss Jane Waddell, who was born in the north of Ireland, daughter of John Waddell, a lifelong resident of the same dis- trict. Two children were born of this union, namely: Francis J., the subject of this sketch; and Annie, who died in infancy. The mother is still living, making her home in Allegheny. The father's death in 1886, at the age of seventy years, was regarded as a public loss.
Francis J. Torrance obtained his element- ary education in the public schools of his na- tive city, being graduated from the Third Ward School in 1874. He subsequently took a course at Newell Institute, and completed his school education at Western University. Then he began his business career by entering the Standard Manufacturing Company, of which he was superintendent until the death of his father. After that event he was ap- pointed to his present responsible office, in which he is giving eminent satisfaction to all concerned. This firm's enamelling works in Allegheny are said to be the most extensive in the world. Over six hundred men are em- ployed by it in this city. It has branch offices in New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Chicago, Buffalo, San Francisco, and Mon- treal. Mr. Torrance is also associated with other business organizations, being president of the Pittsburg Madalorium Company, of the Washington Street Railway Company, of the Riverside Land Company, and of the Western Pennsylvania Exposition Society. Few men have risen so rapidly as Mr. Torrance. Of a
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genial, kindly disposition, courteous and un- assuming in manner, he makes friends and well-wishers wherever he goes.
On November 6, 1884, Mr. Torrance mar- ried Miss Mary R. Dibert, daughter of David and Lydia (Griffith) Dibert, of Johnstown, Pa. Jane Torrance is their only child. Mr. Torrance is prominently identified with the social, religious, and political interests of the county. He has been the president of the Americus Club for two years; a trustee and one of the Official Board of the Baptist church, of which he is a member, for ten years; and he is the chairman of the Republi- can City Committee. He is now serving his fifth year in the Select Council, and is the chairman of the Committee on Public Works and of that on Grade Crossings. In 1895 Mr. Torrance was appointed by the Governor Com- missioner of the Board of Public Charities; and he was also a member of the Committee on Lunacy, a branch of the Board previously referred to. The family resides at 241 West- ern Avenue, Allegheny.
HOMAS A. REX, M.D., of Pitts- burg, was born in Philadelphia, Feb- ruary 10, 1838, son of George V. and Mary C. (Lentz) Rex. He descends from very early settlers of Germantown, Phila- delphia, where the family has resided for nearly the past two hundred years. John Rex, his paternal grandfather, who was a general business man, died in middle life, leaving a large estate on Chestnut Hill. George V. Rex, son of John, was a gentleman of leisure, and lived on the old estate. He and his fam- ily were members of the Chestnut Hill Pres- byterian Church. His death occurred about the year 1881, in the seventy-ninth year of his age. His wife died eleven years later at
the age of seventy-six. Her father, Jacob Lentz, was a merchant, and a descendant of one of the oldest Philadelphian families. The Lentz family came of Huguenot stock. Jacob is said to have reached a great age.
Thomas A. Rex graduated from the Phila- delphia Central High School. At the early age of eighteen he joined Captain M. C. Meigs's corps of United States engineers, in charge of the construction of the Washing- ton aqueduct. In 1859 he graduated from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. Upon the outbreak of the Rebellion he went to Wash- ington, D.C., and was there appointed second assistant engineer in the corps completing the Washington aqueduct. He afterward entered the Quartermaster-general's depart- ment, and held there the position of chief clerk of the Bureau of Ocean and River Transportation. While so employed, he was able to attend the medical department of the Georgetown University, from which he grad- uated in the last year of the war. Im- mediately after graduation he entered the army as acting assistant surgeon. Six months after the close of the war he left the service, and matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania. Having duly graduated from this institution, he commenced to practise in Pittsburg in 1866.
On the fifteenth day of June, 1871, Dr. Rex was united in marriage with Miss Emma L. McBane, a daughter of Alexander McBane. They have had five children: Louise; Mary C .; Alexander McBane; Edith; and Marjory, who died in infancy. The Doctor is an Elder in the Sixth Presbyterian Church, and his wife and children are members. He has always been a Republican, but has no special interest in local politics. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and of the Allegheny County Medical Society, also of the State
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Medical Association and the American Medi- cal Association. He stands high in his pro- fession, and is one of the most popular physi- cians of Pittsburg.
ILLIAM PIPER DE ARMIT, the president of the New York & Cleveland Gas Coal Company, Pitts- burg, was born in Hollidaysburg, August 24, 1850, son of Alexander and Julia A. (Piper) De Armit. The original De Armits were French Huguenots of noble birth, and the first of the family in this country fled from France to escape persecution. John De Armit, grandfather of William P., and a native of this State, had been a resident of Pittsburg a year or two when he was killed by the explo- sion of a boiler in Wallace's marble yards. His son, Alexander, who enlisted at Philadel- phia in the Sixteenth Pennsylvania Regiment, lost his life while in the cause of the Union. Alexander's wife, Julia, was a daughter of John Piper, who was born at Shippensburg, Pa., of Scotch-Irish parentage. Mr. Piper lived at Hollidaysburg, and contracted exten- sively for mail transportation in Western Pennsylvania. His death occurred in 1870. One of his ancestors was a soldier in the Rev- olution, and was among the wounded at the battle of Long Island.
William Piper De Armit spent the early part of his life at Hollidaysburg, and was sent to school in that town. At the age of thir- teen years he entered the counting-room of the Blair Iron and Coal Company, in whose em- ployment he remained three years. During the ensuing three years he was engaged in the "overcharge department " of the Union Line in Pittsburg. He was next engaged by the New York & Cleveland Gas Coal Company, of which he is now the president. This is
one of the largest coal companies in Western Pennsylvania. Beginning twenty-five years ago as a book-keeper, he was subsequently the treasurer of the company for thirteen years; "and he has filled the office of president since 1887. Mr. De Armit married Margaretta, daughter of Edward C. Dixon, and a descend- ant of the distinguished Dixon family of Maryland.
HRISTOPHER ZUG, a prominent iron manufacturer of Pittsburg, was born July 19, 1807, in Allen town- ship, near Carlisle, Cumberland County, son of Jacob and Margaret (Keller) Zug. He is descended from ancestors who came from Switzerland to this country about the year 1727. His grandfather, Christian, settled in Pennsylvania near the site of Lititz, upon land which was given him by the Penns, and which is still held in the Zug family. Jacob Zug and his wife were both born near Lititz, Jacob in 1767, and Margaret ten years later ; and here they lived during their childhood, and received their education. They were married December 3, 1793, after which they moved to Cumberland County, and went to farming. Seven children were born to them; namely, Barbara, John, Sarah, Jacob, Mar- garet, Christopher, and Samuel. When over sixty years old, they were baptized in the church of German Brethren, then known as Dunkards, and afterward remained in that faith up to the time of their death. Jacob reached the great age of ninety-eight, and Margaret that of ninety. While they were counted among the prosperous farmers of the district, they were especially noted for their piety.
Christopher Zug received his first education at South Middleton in a school-house which stood on his father's farm. He then went
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into the dry-goods business at Carlisle, but after two years sold out, and came in 1835 to Pittsburg, travelling from Harrisburg by way of the canal. Here he obtained a situation as book-keeper with S. Fahnestock & Co., whole- sale hardware merchants, where he had been employed for two years when the company failed. Then he went to work for Hoge & Hartmans, iron manufacturers, who carried on the same business now owned by the Olivers; and with this firm he got his first ideas about iron manufacturing. He then worked for James Anderson, who in 1846 sold out to Graff, Lindsay & Co., the partners of the new firm being Henry Graff, John Lindsay, Will- iam Larimer, Jr., and Christopher Zug. The mills at this time employed about three hun- dred men, and the business consisted largely in manufacturing iron and in making nails. In 1854 Henry Graff withdrew, and the firm became Zug, Lindsay & Co. In 1856 John Lindsay died, leaving the business in the con- trol of Jacob Painter and Mr. Zug, under the name of Zug & Painter. In 1864, when Mr. Zug received his son, Charles H. Zug, as one of the partners, the name of the firm was changed to Zug & Co. In July, 1896, the firm comprised Christopher Zug, Charles H. Zug, and T. C. Clarkson. In the same year C. H. Reid was taken into the firm. The mills are situated on Thirteenth and Etna Streets, and extend parallel with the river as far as Pike Street. The growth of the busi- ness since 1856, when Mr. Zug took charge, has been so great as to make several new buildings necessary. At present, during a moderately busy time, more than seven hun- dred men are employed, and from one hundred to one hundred and fifty tons of iron are turned out each day. Mr. Zug is also inter- ested in the Pittsburg Bank for Savings, of which he was one of the first directors. Of a
larger philanthropic nature, Mr. Zug takes great interest in hospital work. He is the senior member of the Board of Directors of the Dixmont and West Pennsylvania Hospi- tal. This is a great institution, comprising many buildings, and fitted up with especial regard to the comfort of the patients. The branch at Dixmont is for the insane. Mr. Zug was also one of the original directors of the Passevant Hospital, and likewise of the Mercy Hospital.
On May 17, 1831, Mr. Zug was married to Miss Eliza Bair, who was born April 12, 1812, daughter of Henry Bair, of Hanover, York County. His children were: Charles H., the only son; Margaret, the wife of James H. Parker, of Chicago; Emma, who died at the age of twelve; Eliza, the wife of Thomas C. Clarkson; Mary, now dead, who was the wife of Harvey Childs, of Pittsburg; and Annie, the wife of Edward Burdett, of Chicago. Mrs. Zug, who was a member of the Lutheran church, died in 1866. Mr. Zug owns a beautiful home in Pittsburg, on the corner of Centre and Negley Avenues. It is a substantial brick structure surrounded by a pleasant lawn. While not a member of any church, Mr. Zug attends several, and contrib- utes generously to their support. In politics he is a Democrat, but not a partisan in the aggressive sense. In business he has won success, and his public spirit and philan- thropy have brought him the respect of all who know him.
ILLIAM DUNCAN O'BRIEN, M.D., the City Physician for the Hazelwood district, and a member of the surgical staff of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, was born May 29, 1853, in Yates County, New York, son of Timothy and Mar-
JEREMIAH P. E. KUMLER.
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garet (Duncan) O'Brien. His grandfather, Jeremiah O'Brien, who was a native of Ire- land, emigrated to Canada, and was there afterward engaged in agricultural pursuits. Jeremiah died in 1890, having attained the venerable age of ninety-seven years.
Timothy O'Brien, who was born in Canada, moved to New York State. Later he re- turned to his native province, but went back to New York after a time, and is now living upon a farm in Orleans County. His wife, Margaret, was a native of Scotland and a daughter of William Duncan, who was a rep- resentative of a prominent Scotch family and a college-bred man. After the death of her father, which occurred when Margaret was a child, she crossed the ocean alone to join her relatives in America, and was reared in this country. She became the mother of seven children, four of whom died in infancy. The living children are; William D., the subject of this sketch; John H., another physician of Pittsburg, residing at 2112 Fifth Avenue; and Mary, the wife of Madison A. Burnett, of Orleans County, New York. The mother died in May, 1895.
William Duncan O'Brien acquired his early education in Canada. At the age of seven- teen he returned to the States, and was for a time engaged in teaching school. When twenty years old he began the study of medi- cine with Dr. Samuel Holman, now of this city, and was graduated from the Bellevue Hospital College, New York City, in 1878. He first located for practice in Kendall, N. Y., where he remained nine years. Then coming to Pittsburg, he took up his residence in Hazelwood. He has acquired a lucrative practice, and for some time has been surgeon for the Baltimore & Ohio Railway. He is a member of the Allegheny County Medical Society, the American Medical Association,
and the American Association of Railway Surgeons. As City Physician of his district, he is deservedly popular.
On December 29, 1878, Dr. O'Brien was united in marriage with Permelia Goodell, a daughter of Elijah Goodell, of New York State. They have two sons - Paul and Avery. Dr. O'Brien is connected with the Masonic-fraternity, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Foresters.
EREMIAH P. E. KUMLER, D.D., pastor of East Liberty Presbyterian Church, Pittsburg, Pa., was born at Lewisburg, Ohio, August 16, 1830, son of Elias and Ann E. (Clippinger) Kumler. His immigrant ancestors came from Basle, Switzer- land, in 1740. The Rev. Henry Kumler, his grandfather, was a Bishop and one of the founders of the United Brethren church. For twenty-five years he crossed the Alleghany Mountains twice a year, when it meant a tire- some and difficult journey. He was a success- ful business man, and owned considerable property. Selling his farm in Pennsylvania, and receiving in payment for it enough to give each of his children a quarter of a section in Ohio, he removed to Butler County in that State, near Hamilton. His son Elias, who was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, was then ten years old.
Elias Kumler was a merchant and banker, a very prominent citizen, and an Elder in the Presbyterian church. He was one of the principal donors of Western Female Seminary at Oxford. He died in 1872, at the age of sixty-four years; and his wife, Ann E., died in 1887, at the age of seventy-six years. They had a family of ten children, namely : Jeremiah P. E., who was the eldest ; Mary C., now deceased; Margaret, who married Gibson
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Atherton, afterward a member of Congress; Susan E., the wife of Dr. Molyneaux; Martha A., whose husband, James Owens, was several times a member of Congress from Newark, Ohio; William Festus, who died from the effects of being in the war; Theophilus, a capitalist of Oxford, and owner of a fine stock farm; Adelia, now Mrs. James Molyneaux; and Walter Scott, who lives at Oxford.
The subject of this sketch was educated at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, graduat - ing with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in the class of 1853. He studied theology for a year in the Associated Presbyterian Seminary at Oxford, and then completed his theological course in 1856 at Lane Seminary in Cincin- nati, at the same time receiving his Master of Arts degree. In 1857 he was ordained at Greenville, Ohio; and, after serving a pasto- rate of four years there, he accepted a call to the church in Oxford, his home town, where he had in his congregation many of his own kinsfolk, and also the college president and professors, his former instructors. At this time he also acted as pastor of Western Semi- nary, preaching there on Sunday afternoons; and for the last twenty years he has been pres- ident of the Board of Trustees. In 1868 he was called to Evansville, Ind., through the in- fluence of General Foster, ex-Secretary of State; and in 1871 he accepted a call from the First Church of Indianapolis, of which Gen- eral Harrison was one of the Elders. Four years later, in 1874, he went to the Third Church of Cincinnati, where he remained as pastor for nine years, and at the end of that time left the church the largest in the city. He came to his present parish, which is now by far the largest of any Presbyterian church in Pittsburg, in 1884; and since his coming the present beautiful stone church has been erected at a cost of one hundred and twenty -
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